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UnderratedReads is devoted to discovering underrated books and under-represented authors. We highlight hidden gems from around the world–honest reviews only, never pay-to-play.
Category Archives: Fiction
The Hundred Waters – Lauren Acampora
(Reviewed by JD Jung) #CommissionsEarned “Grown people need friction to live.” Most people would think that Louisa Rader is living the perfect life. As the director of the town’s art center, this former model and photographer lives in a wealthy … Continue reading
Posted in Modern Literary Fiction
Tagged aging, art, boredom, environmentalism, privilege, rebellion, wealth
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The Risk in Crossing Borders – William McClain
(Reviewed by JD Jung) #CommissionsEarned “She kept coming back to the question of what to do with her life. Most people sorted that out in their twenties and thirties. What was wrong with her?” Yana Pickering is over fifty years … Continue reading
Posted in Modern Literary Fiction
Tagged immigration, Lebanon, refugees, Seattle, Syria, transgender, war
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The Scent of Burnt Flowers – Blitz Bazawule
(Reviewed by JD Jung) #CommissionsEarned It’s the mid-1960s and an African American couple, Melvin and Bernadette are on the run. Melvin sees that their only chance is to flee the U.S. Back in college, Melvin saved the life of a … Continue reading
Posted in African Literature, Historical Fiction, World Literature
Tagged 1960s, colonization, FBI, Ghana, racism
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Comeuppance – Frank Honorof
(Reviewed by Don Jung) #CommissionsEarned It’s the end of World War II and American military attorney, Philip Almeister, is sent on a liaison mission to Austria to help restore assets stolen by the Nazis. While working there he uncovers a … Continue reading
Posted in Crime, Mystery and Thrillers, Historical Fiction
Tagged intrigue, thriller, WWII
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I Buried Paul: A Novel: Bruce Ferber
(Reviewed by Don Jung) #CommissionsEarned This is the story of forty-nine-year-old Jimmy Koslowski and his uncertain life as a struggling musician. It starts off with his family, where his father is an orchestra leader, and his older brother is a … Continue reading
Posted in Modern Literary Fiction, Reviewers' Top Picks
Tagged Beatles, music, rock music
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The Uniform – G. Gruen
(Reviewed by Don Jung) #CommissionsEarned David Korda is close to getting his medical degree in Nazi Germany when it is discovered that he is Jewish. Instead of joining his graduation class, he is sent to a concentration camp to do … Continue reading
The Woman in the Library – Sulari Gentill
(Reviewed by JD Jung) #CommissionsEarned Four strangers sit in a reading room at the Boston Public Library when they hear a bloodcurdling scream. It appears that a murder has taken place and the four are forced to remain there until … Continue reading
Posted in Australian Literature, Crime, Mystery and Thrillers
Tagged Australian fiction, Boston, library, murder
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Beach Detective: Exploding Surfboard-Fred Fuld III
(Reviewed by Christopher J. Lynch) #CommissionsEarned This is one of those delightful, easy reads perfect for the summer season. Harry Lido, a PI in the laid-back town of Redondo Beach, California has a mystery to solve: who is trying to … Continue reading
Posted in Crime, Mystery and Thrillers
Tagged mystery, Southern California, summer
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